"The new SEAT Leon CUPRA R will undoubtedly capture show visitor attention on the Spanish brand’s stand at the IAA 2017. SEAT’s most powerful road car in history will also be its most exclusive, owing to the fact that it will be limited to 799 units. The new SEAT Leon CUPRA R will be available with manual gearbox (310 PS) and DSG (300 PS), with six speeds and front wheel drive. There are some stand-out details on the bodywork such as exclusive carbon fibre details on the front and rear spoilers, side skirts and rear diffuser, wing mirrors in copper, as well as the rims, with the wheel arches and the front area getting a new, more powerful design around the air intakes.

The SEAT Leon CUPRA R will be available at the end of 2017 and the 799 lucky owners will be able to enjoy an interior that has also been given the carbon fibre and copper treatment, plus a steering wheel and gearstick upholstered in Alcantara®. There will be three colours to choose from; Midnight Black, Pyrenees Grey (neither with extra cost) and the exclusive Matte Grey.

The new Leon CUPRA R also receives a few extras. On the front axle, the camber has been modified and the adaptive suspension DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control), not forgetting the Brembo brakes. There is a new exhaust system too. So sportier, yes, but above all else a unique and unrepeatable model, reserved for 799 of the brand’s most demanding drivers."

"The new SEAT Leon CUPRA R will undoubtedly capture show visitor attention on the Spanish brand’s stand at the IAA 2017. SEAT’s most powerful road car in history will also be its most exclusive, owing to the fact that it will be limited to 799 units. The new SEAT Leon CUPRA R will be available with manual gearbox (310 PS) and DSG (300 PS), with six speeds and front wheel drive. There are some stand-out details on the bodywork such as exclusive carbon fibre details on the front and rear spoilers, side skirts and rear diffuser, wing mirrors in copper, as well as the rims, with the wheel arches and the front area getting a new, more powerful design around the air intakes.

The SEAT Leon CUPRA R will be available at the end of 2017 and the 799 lucky owners will be able to enjoy an interior that has also been given the carbon fibre and copper treatment, plus a steering wheel and gearstick upholstered in Alcantara®. There will be three colours to choose from; Midnight Black, Pyrenees Grey (neither with extra cost) and the exclusive Matte Grey.

The new Leon CUPRA R also receives a few extras. On the front axle, the camber has been modified and the adaptive suspension DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control), not forgetting the Brembo brakes. There is a new exhaust system too. So sportier, yes, but above all else a unique and unrepeatable model, reserved for 799 of the brand’s most demanding drivers."

Ah I'm a little disappointed at no 4WD considering the test mule spotted looked like it was heading in that direction.

It's more a Cupra type Clubsport with the power gap being smaller than the GTI namesake. Alcantara steering wheel, spoiler, bumpers, buckets and seemingly the digital dash - which indicates this will be released on other trim levels thereafter (MY19?).

Interestingly I wonder if this is why the PP has yet to be released in the UK. Knowing this was coming they would have surely maxed out the upper price point if this came out above that.

I'm now shopping for the next car... it'll be on the shortlist but isn't a must buy.

Yep, was quite funny when it pulled up, just standing there chatting to a mate outside the hotel (Was there for SEAT Leon ST launch) and were were like oh whats that.

The bloke who had driven it there got a right bollocking and off he went. We later discussed whether it was done on purpose.

I'm fortunate enough (as I love it) work on in motor manufacturing for a different company and things like this in my experience don't happen accidentally!

Back on topic there's obviously some more to come - the video introducing this car references an announcement of the future of the Cupra brand so maybe this Cupra R is the sighter to get some headlines.